Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life Hardcover – October 27, 2020

This therapy group seemed completely unbounded and off-the-rails, and this book is sure to propel many readers to group therapy. I laughed out loud at the dialogue and fell a little in love with Dr. Rosen. I loved his idea that sharing anger is a form of intimacy and that confidentiality is just a way to “keep other’s shame”. I was in a group in Austin in the late 80s that wasn’t at all like this one. We didn’t discuss sex much and didn’t probe for details about another’s personal life. Confidentiality was mandatory due to the fact one member’s wife was escaping a cult. In fact, she screened all prospective new members to ensure they weren’t in the cult. Crazy but true.

One of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. I have since recommended it to my sister who is still struggling with disordered eating.It’s a coincidence that she used some of the exact words that appear in my own memoir… I also do group therapy, I also kissed many frogs before landing a super great husband. My memoir is also a Bildungsroman.

As a young woman, Tate is an ambitious, successful attorney. Yet, she experiences profound loneliness, isolation, disconnection and suicidal thoughts. She battled an eating disorder in the past, and still had complicated issues with food. She is mired in complete hopelessness and a bleak vision of her perceived, prospective future that she sees as devoid of a spouse and children. When a friend suggests therapy, Tate reluctantly joins a group run by an unconventional clinician. Group members bring their problems and concerns to the collective, and suggestions and ideas are discussed and examined. Honesty is paramount and secrecy is discouraged. Privacy and confidentiality take a backseat to full disclosure and unabashed candor. Tate’s memoir is raw, brash, unflinching and sometimes unflattering. She careens from one dysfunctional relationship to the next, desperately looking for love with emotionally stunted men, detailing her every sexual exploit in graphic, often crass and unnecessary detail. While one can empathize with Tate’s deep desire for attachment and belonging, it’s clear that she needs to delve into the wounds of her past that are creating the roadblocks to her happiness. Through a circuitous route of rejection, indifference and callous disregard from several previous partners, Tate eventually accepts herself and in this painful growth process, she finds self-esteem, friendship and lasting love. Tate’s book is courageous, in that she tells her own story with all of the broken pieces and hard-won triumphs exposed. Her tale will not appeal to everyone, but her tenacity and perseverance shine through as a testament that healing can occur if one is willing to do the work required.

I found this book to be enlightening. As someone who has tried (and failed, many many times) to go to therapy, it gives me a little better understanding of how I should be approaching appointments. It also helped me see that maybe the issues I struggle with, which at times have me immensely stressed out and feeling alone, are more common than my brain allows me to understand in those moments.I rated this 3.75 stars because there were times I was just, bored. I had to remind myself that this is a work of nonfiction, someone’s actual life, and that life isn’t always super exciting, or even mildly exciting. There was much repetition in the story as well, relationship after relationship of the same actions, same feelings, I just wanted to shake her and say “can’t you see you’re making the same mistakes?” But unfortunately that’s not always how life works. Dr Rosen seemed to understand that and it was intriguing to see his direction for Christie while she navigated her life.Christie goes through years and years of inability to accept love; with an endless need to be loved and to find “the one”. What a combination am I right? Through therapy she’s able to break down many barriers that she created, but it doesn’t happen overnight and it certainly isn’t instantaneous. I appreciate that this memoir was able to shine a light on therapy and healing in a way movies and tv shows don’t—it felt real because it was.

I stayed up til 3am reading this book. Christie Tate had my attention from the first page. She writes beautifully, for one thing, and she tells a great story. This story is her own, and she tells it like she’s talking to an old friend. It’s full of love and honesty, seeking and finding. It’s about the self and community and love. I can’t wait to read her next work.

I personally loved this book, having a history of anxiety and depression. I could relate to the character(a) and they really spoke to me. I think that it’s great for people with anxiety and depression or for those prone; to know they aren’t alone. Some people, who I know read it and have no previous mental health issues just couldn’t get into it. I thought it was funny and sad, and an amazing story of one womans road to better mental health. I think many who haven’t experienced any kind of mental health issue may have a hard time to relating to characters, and storyline.

In the beginning I felt like this book will make me depressed. As I continued reading, I started laughing, enjoying it, and seeing how after a rainy day the sun always shines. GROUP takes you through Christie's journey of depression to begin happy. It makes you realize how people might have successful careers, but are lonely. No one is fully convinced and happy with the life they have; they always want more! AND the always see what other people have that they don't. This book opened my eyes to a lot of things around me, especially individuals and how they see their lives uncompleted no matte what they have. I'm glad Christie found Dr. Rosen to help her reach what she wants.This book is enjoyable and inspirational.

I learned a lot about myself and others by taking an inside look at someone else’s experiences with group therapy. While I would not do many of the things described in this book, I did learn some valuable lessons to implement into my own life. Definitely worth the read!

I started off intrigued by this book and enjoyed Christie’s brutal honesty. She was funny and irreverent and I could relate on some level. But then as I kept reading, I began to dislike, and then detest this book. It’s a book about everything therapy should NOT be.Christie’s therapist, Dr.Rosen, is manipulative and unethical. His behaviour became creepier and creepier as the book wore Ona DJ I had to stop reading a few times in disbelief and disgust. I wondered how this cult-like, expensive, and unethical counselling was allowed to happen in the first place? I found the this book triggering AF and deeply upsetting. Dr. Rosen crossed so many boundaries and was so inappropriate that it was hard to swallow.This wasn’t therapy, this was a cult of some sort.One of this main issues I had with this book was the lack of confidentiality. It disturbed me immensely. Respect seemed to only go one way with this group. If I had gone to a therapy session like this I would never go back.If you have been through therapy, this book will most likely upset you. Having had a lot of issues over the pandemic, this isn’t a book I should’ve been reading at this time, but it was part of a book club selection, so I read it. Oddly enough, it was put forward by a psychologist. WTAF. I’m not sure hat she was playing at with this choice but whatever. It’s awful. Steer clear of it.

I rarely read self help or non fiction but I am so happy that I gave this book a go.Tate is a gifted observer and writer. This is the book the one all of us who were self absorbed and angst ridden in our twenties and thirties would have wished to have at hand.I can relate to Christie Tate as she learns to love and accept herself and embrace and accept the love of those around her. Even if I didn’t, the writing is so good and her narrative is so well crafted that I urge anyone who enjoys a good story to read this book.

This book was interesting having never done any kind of therapy (and I read it without knowing it was a memoir). I found after a while very hard to find common ground with the author/main character felt she was just completely self involved. Also, now I know it's actually based on real life experiences I'm shocked that this kind of therapy takes place.

Really wasn't sure about the description of this book but was a book club read for the month.How wrong could I be. Absolutely loved the book. A great style of writing that you could get into the characters. You keep reading to see if therapy works for the main character. I'm not saying either way so not to spoil it for the reader

I enjoyed this book because it didn't hold back! it was raw and tells the struggles of a young 20 something and her development in life love and friendship through group therapy. I would definitely recommend it even if you don't think you need therapy, it is at times heartwarming and very funny!